The global green building market is now a trillion-dollar industry, and that’s expected to double every three years.
And in Latin America, Mexico is the leader in sustainable building practices. The country is the seventh largest market for LEED certified buildings in the world and has 14.5 million square meters of LEED-certified space. It’s all part of efforts by the Mexican government and private sector to change the state of the country through sustainable building. Once the most polluted city in the world, Mexico City now has the highest concentration of LEED certified buildings in Mexico.
Commercial real estate investors in Mexico are driving the demand for more sustainable buildings. It is predicted that by 2018, 60 percent of Mexico’s building projects will be green. LEED certified buildings use less energy and resources, cost less to operate, demand higher rent and occupancy, and contribute to stopping climate change. Mexico is also focusing on how the built environment affects human wellness and many projects are pursuing WELL certification, a building rating system that focuses on human health and well being.
The largest sector for sustainable building practices in Mexico is new building design and construction, and cutting edge projects are setting global records. Mexico’s 7-Eleven at the Universidad de Monterrey is the world’s first convenience store to achieve a LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C’s Retail adaptation. Demonstrating that retrofit projects are also booming, the Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento building in Mexico City, built in 1527, is the oldest building in the world to achieve LEED Gold under the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings rating system. It has become a shining example of the energy efficiency and retrofit work that is happening across Mexico.
Mexico is emerging as a world leader in sustainable building. Want to be part of the action? Earn your green building credential today and advance your career as a LEED Green Associate, LEED AP, or WELL AP professional.
